Message from the Board of
The Los Angeles County African American Employees Association

George Floyd, was a father, son, brother, man and a human being. His unfortunate death in late May at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer, is a tragedy that we have witnessed for too many times before—Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice and the list goes on.

The Los Angeles County African American Employees Association (LACAAEA) stands in solidarity with the global movement comprised of millions of people from around the world who lifted their voices (and sometimes their bodies) in protest of these and other injustices against African Americans. We believe it is time to have an open and honest conversation about how pervasive and deep racism is in our culture and society. It is only by engaging in this type of reckoning (truth and reconciliation) can we even begin to address and prevent these tragedies from reoccurring.

We remain hopeful for the day when there are no more George Floyd’s – African American or of any other race. We realize that we must all work to help achieve this end. The LACAAEA is committed to the ongoing struggle for justice. Mr. Floyd’s death should not be in vain. We will work to educate and empower our membership – it is no longer ok to simply be inclusive – we must become anti-racists (think Ibram X. Kendi). Through this process of transformation, we hope to inspire others and call them to peaceful action.